Hardanger National Tourist Route

Follow the scenic Hardangerfjord in Fjord Norway, where for over a century travelers have come to see mountains, fjords, waterfalls and glaciers.

Facts

Road: Rv. 7 between Halne and Steindalsfossen
Length: 194 kilometres

Location

The Hardanger National Tourist Route is a 158-kilometre-long stretch of road east of Bergen, in the county of Hordaland in Fjord Norway. Norheimsund, Kinsarvik, Jondal, Granvin and Odda are the five region centres in the area.

The road

The drive alternates between the dramatic and the gentle: the moorland landscape, the steep mountainsides with thundering waterfalls and the fjord, flat as a mirror, with peaceful harmony and space for contemplation. The area offers many opportunities for hiking, outdoor adventures and culture experiences.

These lush green hillsides, the waterfalls, the mountains and the glaciers have been attracting tourists for more than 100 years. Hardanger is also the cradle of national romanticism, and artists of all ages have sought inspiration from its majestic scenery.

Hardanger has been a fruit-growing region since the 14th century. The soil along the Hardangerfjord imparts a characteristically fresh and tangy flavour to the fruit, and in the growing season fruit is on sale from small stalls along the road.

Viewpoints along the road

There are three panoramic view- and rest areas made in collaboration with Hardanger National Tourist Route. The locations offer magnificent views of the Hardangerfjord. Some of them have picnic areas and possibilities for fishing and swimming in the fjord.

Hereiane: This serene rest area has an unconventional service building with walls and roofing made of natural stone from a local quarry. The rest area at Hereiane is located in a topographically distinct region with a smooth, bare rock face rising from the fjord all the way up to the mountain peaks. This spot offers a magnificent view across the fjord, and is located in the vicinity of the Millennium Site of Jondal Municipality, four kilometres north of Jondal.

Steinstøberget: Rest area with service facilities at Steinstøberget, with excellent opportunities for angling in the Hardangerfjord. Here you can also set up a barbecue. Steinstøberget is located approximately 18 kilometres east of Norheimsund.

Hesthamar: The rest area at Hesthamar, four kilometres northwest of Utne, occupies an idyllic spot in an active fruit-growing area. From the car park, a trail leads out to a promontory with a large stone cross. From the rest area, another trail leads to a stone beach, which is much used by swimmers.

What to see

Steinsdalsfossen Waterfall has a fall of 50 metres, and is special because you can walk behind it. It is located 2.5 kilometres west of Norheimsund.

In the Odda Valley there are five great waterfalls, with the Låtefossen Waterfall as the most picturesque.

The Hardanger region is known as the "Orchard of Norway". If you travel there in late spring you will see thousands of fruit trees in full bloom - quite a sight. Later in the season the cherries are on sale by the roadside, and there is even a Sweet Cherry Festival held in Lofthus at the end of July every year.

If you would like to find out more about cider and apple juice production, visit the Hardanger Juice and Cider Factory or take the fruit and cider walk in Ulvik. The farms are within walking distance of each other, and offer exciting tastes of farm produce and culture.

Hardanger Museum Warf in Norheimsund is a living museum where boat building and boat preservation are in focus. Alternatively you can explore the history of the local culture at the open air museum Hardanger Folk Museum in Utne.

In 1918, Tyssedal's hydropower facility was the biggest in Europe. Today, the power plant is a cultural monument - an architectural jewel beautifully situated by the Sørfjord. Guided tours from the Norwegian Museum of Hydropower and Industry in Tyssedal.

The composer Edvard Grieg lived occasionally at Lofthus and composed some of his well-known works here. His composer cabin is now placed in the garden of Hotel Ullensvang.

What to do

Experience the Hardangerfjord by boat, ferry, yacht, sailboat or a small fishing boat. Moor up at some of the numerous enchanting villages. Or feel the excitement of passing through the narrow strait of Fyksesundet before you arrive at Botnen, the birthplace of the Hardanger fiddle - a traditional stringed instrument.

Join a Hardangerfjord cruise connected by bus from Voss and Bergen. Hardangerfjord Sightseeing starts in and returns to Norheimsund, and calls at the villages of Herand, Utne, Lofthus, Kinsarvik, Ulvik and Eidfjord.

Enjoy summer skiing on the Folgefonna Glacier, the third largest glacier in mainland Norway. Here you can go cross-country skiing, alpine skiing or try tricks and jumps in the centre’s terrain park. From the slopes at Fonna Glacier Ski Resort you have view over fjords and mountains.

Climbing the Via Ferrata in Tyssedal will give you the opportunity to feel how everyday life was for the navvy people who built the hydroelectric power station Tysso 1. At first you climb up the ladder that runs alongside the pipes. Halfway up the ladder you will face the scariest part of the route - a climb out on the metal bars, which are drilled or cemented, into the rock. Guiding and all necessary equipment such as helmets and harnesses are provided by OpplevOdda.

There are good fishing opportunities in local rivers, lakes and in the fjord. Fjord fishing is free. Fishing cards for rivers and lakes can be bought at the tourist information centres and other tourist venues.

Where to stay

Located in beautiful surroundings in Lofthus, Hotel Ullensvang is a first-class hotel, owned by the same family for five generations throughout more than 160 years. There are stunning views over the Hardangerfjord and the Folgefonna Glacier from the hotel.

Travellers have been enjoying food and shelter at Utne Hotel since 1722. It is one of the oldest hotels in Norway to have operated continuously as a hotel in the same building.

Brakanes Hotel is situated by the fjord in Ulvik. The hotel is surrounded by high mountains, fruit orchards, a sparkling fjord and a varied cultural landscape. Many of the rooms have a balcony and a fjord view.

Tyssedal Hotel dates back to 1912 and the development of the hydroelectric industry in the region. This historical hotel is home to a large art collection and is also renowned for its excellent cuisine.

In the centre of Norheimsund, close to the Hardangerfjord, Thon Hotel Sandven is located in a listed building dating from 1857. The Steinsdalsfossen Waterfall is only a five minute drive away.

Pick your own cherries, plums, apples and pears at Lofthus Camping, picturesquely situated in an old orchard, overlooking the fjord and with a view of the Folgefonna Glacier. It is only a short walk to the fjord, and makes an ideal starting point for hikes into the Hardangervidda National Park.

Where to eat

Enjoy a good meal at Utne Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Norway (see above), where the focus is on seasonal local food.

You will be delighted by the atmosphere in the à la carte restaurant Zanoni at Hotel Ullensvang in Lofthus, which boasts breathtaking views over the Hardangerfjord. Here you can enjoy both Norwegian and international food with a slight Italian touch.

Taste freshly picked fruit and berries, apple cake, bread, "lefser", preserves and apple juice. At the cafeteria at Steinstø Frukt og Kakebu at Steinstø you can also enjoy delicious homemade food whilst taking in the beautiful view of the Hardangerfjord and the surrounding mountains.

The shop at Kjerland Gardsbutikk stocks a range of traditional foods, including vegetables, fruits, berries, meat and bakery products. Kjerland Gardsbutikk is situated in Granvin, in the yard of a farm with sheep and fruit production.

Tyssedal Hotel in Tyssedal is renowned for its excellent cuisine. This historical hotel is home to a large collection of original art. Christian Krogh and Hans Dahl are among the artists represented here. Tyssedal Hotel is also a good starting point for hiking tours to Trolltunga.

Facts

Road: Fv. 7 between the Steindalsfossen Waterfall at Granvin, fv. 49 between Norheimsund and Tørvikbygd, fv. 550 between Jondal and Utne and rv. 13 between Kinsarvik and Låtefoss in the county of Hordaland.

Visitnorway.com is using cookies to ensure the best service and use of this web site. The cookies will be mainly used for web traffic measurement and optimization of services. Read more about the use of cookies.